Industry news

The MG4 Urban electric hatchback has just been priced in the United Kingdom, offering a new budget option in the EV space. It will start from £23,495 (about $46,000), but it is expected to be significantly cheaper when it comes to Australia, potentially around $30,000.This MG4 Urban differs from the MG4 hatch Australia currently gets, particularly as it is front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, but is also noticeably bigger.The Urban measures at 4395mm long as opposed to 4287mm with the MG4 hatch.The MG4 Urban will offer MG a more affordable and more direct competitor to other budget EV hatch rivals, lining up with front-wheel alternatives such as the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora and the coming Geely EX2.With a current starting price of $36,990, before on-road costs, the current MG4 is more expensive than the Dolphin and the Ora, but this FWD Urban could close the gap.The MG4 was the ninth best-selling electric car in Australia in 2025, despite suffering a more than 50 per cent drop in sales year-on-year. We can expect the Urban to come to Aussie shores some time in 2026, but MG Australia did not state an official launch date when contacted for comment. "We do not speculate or comment on future models or product details. We are always evaluating and looking for different powertrain options across our line up - MG Motor Australia will update as models are formally confirmed," an MG Australia spokesperson said. The Urban features a neat interior, including a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver display. In the UK, it comes with two single elector motor choices, producing 109kW and 117kW, respectively. It is expected Australia will get a different version of the car, which has a more powerful electric motor, producing 120kW and 250Nm. The UK variants either have a 43kWh battery, offering 323km of WLTP driving range or a 53.9kWh battery, extending the range to 415km.According to MG, the Urban’s battery can charge from 30 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. 

IM, the luxury arm of MG’s parent company SAIC Motor, has revealed details of its flagship LS9 Hyper large SUV.The nearly five-and-a-half meter long luxury hybrid SUV pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with, not two, but three electric motors in a range-extender set-up (where the engine has no connection to the wheels but is used purely as a generator for the battery). It has enormous power figures with the front motor producing 165kW and the two rear motors producing 195kW each, while the engine is capable of producing 114kW to power the battery. The plug-in hybrid LS9 is equipped with a 65.9kWh Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery pack, which grants it up to 308km of pure electric driving range, according to the more lenient CLTC testing procedure.It is also equipped with a fully independent four-wheel electric steering system with the wheels able to turn a total 24 degrees, bringing its turning radius down to just 4.95 meters, less than the total length of the vehicle.It is also equipped with dual-chamber adjustable-height air suspension, which has 150mm of travel, and features a new regenerative braking system that can allow for 100 per cent energy recovery.It features the brand’s latest design language with LED strips front and rear, as well as between 20 and 22-inch wheels. Inside, it scores a dash-spanning tri-screen layout, which measures a total of 27.1-inches, with a separate passenger screen measuring 15.6-inches on its own.The massive IM9 is a three-row SUV, although it is offered in China as a six-seater rather than the more prevalent seven-seat layout usually seen in Australia.The seats can fold fully flat, and IM claims the LS9 has an 86 per cent usable interior space.The details on the LS9 Hyper model come after the brand recently revealed the smaller LS8, which has a similar approach to its styling and performance.Chinese automakers are pushing into the space usually occupied by the Range Rover or Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC90, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.IM’s LS8 and LS9 will face off in China against a wide array of rivals, including the Leapmotor D16, Denza’s D9, Zeekr’s 8X, as well as an upcoming flagship SUV from GWM.The explosion of activity in this large luxury SUV space has also caused BYD to delay its incoming Tang 9 flagship in the same category as it seeks to improve the model to stay ahead of its competitors.SAIC’s luxury IM arm is sold via MG in Australia and it currently offers two models, the LS5 and LS6 electric sedan and SUV.

BYD’s upcoming flagship Tang 9 SUV has been spotted in China

Chery’s Rely commercial division has revealed pricing and specifications for its electric dual-cab ute in China, the R08 EV.

Carmakers could soon be handing interiors back to the driver in a win for the good guys.A recent interview with Audi's new creative boss Massimo Frascella by Top Gear magazine gave a hint of the future of car interiors."Tactility is very important. Big screens are not the best experience. It's technology for the sake of technology. For us, technology is there when you need it, not there when not needed,” he said“It's not about taking things out, it's just offering the technology and the functionality in a way that's beneficial for the customer. And is premium.”Modern cars - including some Audis — are a mass of screens that run the length of the dashboard or are stacked in the centre dash. Front and rear passenger screens have also risen to prominence.Audi’s recent Concept C show car previews a cabin where the screen is no longer a dominant feature, with only a small one in front of the driver to show the car’s vitals.The concept also prioritised high-end materials and expert precision in the fit and finish.Audi might not be doing this out of the goodness of its own heart, but has read the tea leaves with regulators planning a crackdown on distracting items in cars.Euro NCAP, which is the continent’s crash test and safety authority, is going to push for car brands to keep physical controls for basic functions.According to a report from The Times, NCAP plans to implement test requirements that would encourage cars to have five key functions accessible as easy physical buttons or controls: the horn, indicators, windscreen wipers, hazard lights and a call for SOS.ANCAP — the Australian version of Euro NCAP — will enforce these measures in Australia."In line with our next planned step-change in protocols being introduced from 2026, ANCAP will discourage manufacturers from locating key vehicle controls such as indicators, hazard lights, horn and windscreen wipers within touchscreens,” said ANCAP boss Carla Hoorweg."Physical buttons or stalks to operate these key vehicle controls will be encouraged through scoring, with manufacturers awarded points for the prioritisation of physical controls."Tesla led the charge by moving nearly all functions within the central screen, such as gear selection, mirror and seat adjustment and to turn on the wipers or open the glove box.Tesla isn’t alone, with many Chinese brands that are software-focused following a similar route.It’s not just the removal of screens either, now carmakers are planning on returning physical buttons and dials to dashboards.Volkswagen — which is the parent company of Audi — has been panned for the removal of most physical buttons in cars but it is bringing them back.It showed of its new ID.Polo electric hatchback with a wide array of physical controls.The automotive world is pushing back on going fully digital and will blend the best of both worlds.

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury arm, has revealed a range of off-road concept vehicles, including the bespoke X Skorpio off-road coupe.The brand showed off its range of concepts in the UAE as part of what it called a “glimpse into Genesis’ next decade”, with each car leaning into off-road prowess. The models shown include the GV70 Outdoors concept, featuring a pumped ride height, off-road wheels and tyres, with a roof platform and rally lights, and the GV60 Outdoors concept, which adorns the EV with a set of tracks rather than wheels and similar upgrades to the GV70.The X Skorpio is billed as the brand’s first “extreme off-road vehicle”, which is “purpose built to conquer harsh terrain with cutting-edge performance and luxurious design”.The model is named as such drawing inspiration from the black scorpion, which it says is “known for its resilience and ability to thrive in harsh environments”.It sports a tubular frame, roll cage and other “components sourced directly from off-road endurance racing specialists”, and while it is designed with the performance of Dakar-style trophy trucks in mind, it also features a focus on interior comfort and ergonomics.It also builds on the brand’s previous Magma GT concept, featuring a V8 engine. In the case of the X Skorpio, Genesis says it produces 820kW/1152Nm, although deeper details on this yet-to-be-made-for-production engine are yet to be revealed.It also features 19-inch wheels with 40-inch tyres and motorsport-grade Brembo brakes. The body is built from fiberglass, carbon fibre and kevlar.The latest range of concepts build on a clear shift toward the lucrative 4x4 market by Genesis, which is no doubt eying the success of the Toyota LandCruiser range, as well as its Lexus GX and LX spin-offs.Many Chinese brands are also making inroads into the performance 4x4 space, with GWM finding success in markets like Australia and the Middle East.The new concepts build on other recent examples of Genesis’ future model previews, like the X Gran Equator concept which previews a Lexus-GX rivalling large off-road SUV.In an investor briefing in late 2025, the brand confirmed it was plotting a production version of not only the X Gran Equator, but also a ute under the Hyundai brand.The production car based on the X Gran Equator was said to feature a new range-extender hybrid powertrain, which will be placed in other Genesis models to headline the brand’s emissions-friendly European presence.The focus of the brand’s incoming range of cars it wants by 2030 was very much focused on the European and US markets, which could see the Australian market wait longer than usual to see these new models from Hyundai’s luxury arm.Genesis is also plotting an expansion on its Magma sub-brand for performance versions of its existing range.In other Genesis news, the brand recently released an array of images from a design concept it worked on for a Ford F150-sized pick-up truck. The project was ultimately shelved, with Chief Design Officer for the brand Luc Donckerwolke explaining to CarsGuide that it simply wasn’t the right time for the luxury arm to be launching such a product.This doesn’t rule it out for the future. Meanwhile, the luxury brand’s Hyundai parent has been increasing its commentary around its highly anticipated first ute model, most recently hinting it may share the frame from its Kia Tasman sister product, but will instead debut with “new technology” rather than the Tasman’s 2.2-litre diesel.

GWM is preparing a V8-powered Tank 800 as its latest hardcore off-roader, which will launch this year, according to Auto Home. The brand unveiled its V8 engine at the Shanghai motor show in April 2025, and it looks like the Tank 800 will be the first car to use it.It is thought the car will be a more luxury alternative to other rugged off-roaders and will come with two engine choices. The first is a six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and plug-in hybrid set-up, producing 283kW and 800Nm.The main event is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo eight-cylinder plug-in hybrid set-up. The engine on its own produces 403kW and when combined with the electric motors increases to 735kW.Tank is GWM’s off-roading sub brand, challenging the established 4WD pack. The Tank 800's gutsy engine choices sees it shape up as a potential rival to the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser. It could have an edge over these rivals as it would have a fully-fledged V8, said to operate in line with emissions regulations in Australia. The Toyota LandCruiser down-sized to a 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine with its latest 300 Series revamp, and Nissan will ditch V8-power in the new Patrol due next year. This means the Tank 800 would be more powerful and have a bigger engine than its big name rivals. The Tank 800 is also speculated to be at a similar price point to its rivals, with the LandCruiser and Patrol both starting at about $100,000.It is likely to feature a more luxury specification, such as what is found on the Range Rover.Australia currently gets the Tank 300 and Tank 500, which are smaller in size compared to the in-prospect Tank 800, and both have proved popular choices with buyers. GWM will launch a plug-in hybrid version of the Tank 300 in the first quarter of this year, with a V6 diesel Tank 500 also on the way as it continues to add to its lineup. Australia is a crucial market for GWM, with the brand experiencing a major sales increase over the last 12 months. 

Polestar Australia has spoken out about how it doesn’t currently plan to rejoin Australia’s leading lobby group, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), citing “blatant scaremongering” on the effects of CO2 emission regulations.The Swedish electric vehicle (EV) specialist, along with Tesla, left the FCAI in early 2024 after it opposed the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which came into effect from January 1, 2025 and has tightening CO2 targets for each year until 2029.Polestar Australia Managing Director Scott Maynard said the company would not consider rejoining the FCAI until it changes its tune on the NVES.“We’d need to see the FCAI be truly representative of the entire industry, particularly the industry that’s growing so fast and starting to gobble up share,” said Maynard.“While we continue to see the FCAI speak out against programs like the New Vehicle Efficiency and continue to campaign government to alter something that was introduced for all the right reasons and only just catches us up with other markets around the world … we can’t suggest that the FCAI would speak for our brand.“Some of the headlines that have been posted of late about which are blatant scaremongering around extraordinary price rises that could cost Australian drivers billions of dollars, which don’t need to be true.“I can understand why they would feel the need to do that. That’s who pays them, those legacy brands major contributors to the FCAI. So they have to represent them, but they don’t represent us.“So many of these brands have a global catalogue of vehicles that would allow them to do that. It's just that Australia has been a convenient market to sell old technology and provide sufficient volume that they don't feel compelled to either introduce or develop new technology.“And so you could understand why at this point, that makes them quite upset, and they need to, they need to rail against it.“But there's a degree of inevitability that EV uptake will continue to evolve and grow, and that the share of electric vehicles sold in Australia will continue to increase.“And so I'm sure at some point, the FCAI, representing its brands and representing the wider industry, will need to change its position on it. be hard for them to do, but we'll watch.”“As the industry evolves, they'll have to evolve with it, but they seem to be a step behind at the moment, and certainly way behind us.”While the NVES doesn’t restrict the type of vehicles that can be offered in Australia, if the vehicle emits above the CO2 threshold for the specific category, the carmaker can be fined.Conversely, brands that sell vehicles that are under the threshold will be granted credits. These can be sold to other carmakers that aren’t meeting the CO2 targets at a price they determine.Maynard has previously told CarsGuide the company will be opting for the latter as it only sells electric vehicles (EVs) which don’t emit any CO2. However, it won’t be selling its credits to every car brand.As previously reported, the results of the first performance period will be published by the NVES Regulator in February 2026.This report will detail every carmaker’s so-called interim emissions value (IEV), which indicates whether it is either above or below the predetermined CO2 emissions target.

The new-generation Kia Seltos compact SUV has been officially priced in South Korea.The Seltos petrol starts from around 24.8 million Korean won, which equates to just less than $25,000.Kias in Australia tends to cost an extra 30-40 per cent compared to South Korean equivalents. Based on this, we can speculate a starting price of somewhere in the mid-$30,000s, so there will be a subtle price increase on the previous model.Hybrid variants of the Seltos will be more expensive and we can expect a start price of around the $40,000-plus bracket. This pricing would position the Seltos in a similar price range to the current Hyundai Kona, its sister car, which comes with petrol, electric and hybrid set-ups.The Seltos' base hybrid variant would be more expensive than the base Toyota Corolla Cross, which is a hybrid-exclusive model.The Seltos hyrbid will be the first non-petrol model available for the compact SUV, with just two petrol-only choices on sale in Australia at the moment.The incoming hybrid Seltos will help fill the void left by the axed Niro electric and hybrid compact SUV, with its new-generation model officially ruled out for an Aussie launch. The Seltos’ has four power set-up choices on the new model.There will be a 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol option, producing 110kW and 179Nm along with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 132kW/265Nm or 142kW/265Nm.The hybrid will have a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor, which produces 105kW and 265Nm.The car will continue to be available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts. It will feature plenty of new safety gear onboard, including advanced collision avoidance systems for forward, blind spot and rear cross traffic.There will be a digital key, wireless phone charging and a revamped multimedia system, which has a single digital display spanning across the dashboard.Deliveries in South Korea will begin in the coming days. The new Kia Seltos will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026. 

BMW will continue to produce V8 and V12 engines for some time yet, according to a report in Auto News. Continued big engine manufacturing for BMW was looking bleak as its all-electric plan got underway in 2025.Neue Klasse launched in 2025 as a plan for BMW to step up its renewable endeavours, unveiling a next-generation iX3 electric SUV as its first model.It featured 33 per cent recycled materials and revamped electric power, and was its first model under the new direction for the company. Adding fuel to the fire, BMW ceased production of V8s in its Steyr plant in Austria late last year. Its Munich plant has been at the forefront of the electric shift, as it is retooled for manufacturing electric vehicles. Despite this evidence of a wind down, the German giant's petrol-guzzling engines continue to be a feature across its lineup. There are still 400 workers who continue to manufacture cylinder heads, crankcases and crankshafts for eight- and 12-cylinder engines in Munich. V8 and V12 engine production has been shifted to BMW’s Hams Hall facility in the United Kingdom, where three- and four-cylinder engines have been produced since 2022. The European Union's recent backtracking on its 2035 internal combustion engine sales ban could also re-ignite the BMW's big-engine line-up.The V12 engines are built for Rolls-Royce models such as the Phantom and Ghost, which employ a 6.75-litre twin turbo-charged variant. V8 engines remain available on many of BMW’s high-performance SUVs, including the X5, X6 and X7, with some 7 series sedans also featuring the unit. Australia gets this 4.4-litre twin turbo-charged eight-cylinder engine in those SUVs, which also comes in the M8, getting a hybrid twist in the ballistic M5 sedan and newly-added XM SUV.The United States remains the main driver for ensuring BMW continue to build bigger engines, as they continue to be strong sellers in models.A spokesperson for the US branch of BMW told Auto News demand for V8 engines remains “above average”.It was previously thought the brand would bring its engine production to a close by the end of next year, but it is now unwilling to commit to a fixed end date.